Seeking Keyboard Between 60% and 75%

[Hypersphere]

Has anyone seen a keyboard like this?

layout-rjr5.png (110.82 KiB) Viewed 1946 times

It would be akin to the Tex Beetle with an extra right-hand column to accommodate a more generous right-shift key and extra navigation keys. It would also be rather like the Choc Mini, Keycool 84, or Race 75%, but with the top F-keys row deleted. Leopold has made a good start with the FC660C and FC660M; they just need to finish off the right-hand column with two more keys and perhaps different choices for the existing Insert and Delete keys.

There could be considerable flexibility in the bottom row. I actually favor a shortened spacebar, although this could make keycap customizations problematic. Modifiers and Fn keys could be moved around and their keycap sizes could be changed. The positions of modifiers might be programmable or changed via DIP switch settings.

Suggestions welcome. I realize that this could be a custom-build project, but I prefer something off the shelf if possible. If the board does not yet exist, perhaps a company could be persuaded to introduce this design.

[Muirium]

I have a steel plate (Matt3o made it) which is exactly that layout! It belonged to his custom creation: Steely, since salvaged for parts.

[Muirium]

Not a bad little keyboard.

Just as metal as it looks!

I forgot about the big space bar. Matt's design requires at least a 6 unit cap to make space for the controller. But you get the picture. (And I have a case design in mind without that limitation!)

[Hypersphere]

Mu, it is amazingly close. However, it looks like the backspace (delete) and backslash/pipe keys are too short. I would also want the caps lock in the normal position; I would change this myself to Command using the Mac system prefs. The enter (return) appears a bit short. On the bottom modifier row on the left side, I would want at least a control if not a control and windows/command key in addition to Fn and alt. On the bottom modifier row on the right side, I might want an additional alt (option) key and possibly another Fn key. I am still undecided about the keys in the far-right column, because things like Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn might be mapped to Fn+arrow keys. Nevertheless, the custom board you have shown me is rather a good one.

The keycaps look like the TechKeys Retro set, which I like, although it has a Forrest Gump quality; i.e., like a box of chocolates, despite trying to evoke a coffee ambiance.

[Muirium]

It's Matt3o's creation, so the caps are, of course, DSA Retro.

The greatest advantage of all in custom builds is that you get just what you want, exactly where you want it. So you can get that layout of yours, if you can find the caps (and my stepped case profile solves the space bar restriction). And all in
metal too! Like a Beetle, but more so.

Building season starts again in September!

[Hypersphere]

Mu, I am getting to know you too well. When I posted the layout, I thought, "I'll bet that Mu will suggest a custom build!" Sure enough! It is a great suggestion, but these days I do not have the time or facilities to undertake a custom build. About the most I can contemplate are new cases and keycaps. At the very least, I have embarked on a project of collecting some vintage boards to harvest my own keycaps. Thanks again for showing me the Mat3o design -- it is indeed a handsome and functional board.

[Hypersphere]

What are the views in Deskthority territory about commercial 75% boards, such as the Choc Mini, Race, or Keycool 84?

[Muirium]

Well, the layout was just too close not to step up and do my usual! I've put switches into that very plate and was trying to figure out what to do with the same rightmost keys as you mentioned. You're dancing on my triggers!

The irony being that if you were to see my actual collection, it begins and ends with buckling spring. Cherry's switches have their strengths (cap choice, discrete units, ubiquity) but my favourite keyboards all have an IBM logo bang on the front. So far…

[Hypersphere]

Regarding IBM, I also. However, in recent days, I have put the Model M and SSK aside to permit more experimentation with contemporary boards. I have a strong feeling that after all these dalliances, I shall return to the one true and venerated board, but in the meantime, it is fun to sample the variegated pleasures of the youthful upstarts.